Clinical Instructor of the Year

Webster faculty member Michael Burns is being presented the Clinical Instructor of
the Year award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2013 – Michael Burns works full-time as chief certified registered
nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Mo. In
this position, he oversees all nurse anesthetists at the hospital, who provide anesthesia
to patients undergoing a variety of medical procedures.

Yet, even with that demanding job, he drives close to 100 miles a few times per week
to teach classes in the Nurse Anesthesia department in Webster University's College
of Arts & Sciences . His students say he has been instrumental in getting them placed
into clinical rotations at the Phelps County medical center.

This dedication is one of the many reasons that he is being presented the Clinical
Instructor of the Year award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
The organization represents more than 45,000 professionals.

“He goes out of his way to help us learn,” said Vanessa Voudrie, a CRNA in Springfield,
Illinois. Voudrie graduated from Webster University in March 2013 and was one of the
students who nominated Burns for the award. “He was instrumental in getting us down
to Rolla for the rotation. That was the most beneficial part of my education. I learned
so much from him.”

Jill Stulce, director and assistant professor of nurse anesthesia at Webster, agreed
that Burns has been an important part in the development of the program.

“Michael is one of those individuals who leads by example,” said Stulce. “There is
not one student in the program who doesn't wish to emulate his abilities, knowledge
and confidence. He motivates and inspires all who work with him. They all have such
a reverence for him, which serves the program in such a way that all the students
are striving to be their best.”

The Clinical Instructor of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has made
a significant contribution to the teaching of nurse anesthesia students in the clinical
area.

In a statement given to the AANA, Burns was modest about his impact on students.

“The students have provided many learning opportunities for me over the years and I
am grateful for their rotation at Phelps County Regional Medical Center,” he said.
“This award truly should be awarded to the entire medical center, but especially the
Anesthesia Department. All members of our department–both anesthesia providers and
non-anesthesia providers–promote a positive, one-of-a-kind learning environment for
our students.”